36 singing games played in a ring, from PreK through sixth grade. Each one demonstrated on video, with the score and notes on how to run it.
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Why the circle
A ring puts every child in the same relationship to every other child. Nobody is at the back, nobody is picked last, and the teacher is part of it rather than in front of it. That is why so much of the traditional repertoire is built this way, across every culture that has children's songs.
Turn-taking without anyone being singled out. Solo singing that feels safe, because the child sings from inside the group rather than in front of it. And a natural shape for passing, guessing and choosing games, where the whole class stays involved while one person acts.
The 36 games below come from the United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, the Caribbean, Croatia, France, Spain and Japan. Many are African-American play-party songs. Each song page says where it comes from and what is known about it, including where the sources disagree.
"Good music teaching is not about music. It's about creating joy, humor, and love in the classroom. Music is simply the way to get there."
The list
Grades are Deborah's recommendations. Songs marked free are open to everyone with no account. Titles that link have a page you can read now.
All 36 here, plus the rest of the 150+ song library
Questions
158 songs and singing games, each one demonstrated on video, with the score and notes on how to run it. Free for seven days.
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